SLP Student Koubra Haggar Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal

Koubra Haggar, Year 2 MHSc student

By: Jessica Boafo

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology is proud to congratulate Year 2 student Koubra Haggar, who was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal on May 6, 2025. The honour was presented by The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, during a special ceremony recognizing exceptional contributions to Canada.

Established to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in 2023, this is the first Canadian commemorative medal ever created for a coronation. It recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions at the local, regional, or national level, or those whose achievements abroad bring distinction to Canada.

Koubra was selected in recognition of her extensive advocacy and community leadership, particularly in support of Black, Francophone, and other marginalized communities in Ontario. Her commitment to equity, social justice, and accessible education has been the foundation of her service.

“It is a great honour. My hope is that this recognition serves as an affirmation to Black and other racialized or marginalized youth that they are intelligent, capable, and indispensable to their communities,” she shared.

Her impact spans multiple roles, including her service as a committee member for the Lincoln M. Alexander Award, which honours youth working to eliminate racial discrimination. Appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Koubra was selected for her longstanding work in areas such as education, youth justice, anti-racism, and community advocacy.

Now as a student in the SLP program, Koubra is channeling these experiences into her clinical training:

“My work with culturally diverse communities, where language and cultural barriers often pose challenges to communication, is part of what sparked my interest in Speech-Language Pathology,” she explained. “The program’s emphasis on person-centred and culturally responsive care continues to shape my practice and commitment to working alongside, rather than imposing upon, communities.”

Her story reflects the values at the heart of the speech-language pathology profession, empathy, equity, and empowerment, and demonstrates the real-world impact that future clinicians can make even before entering the field.

“When you do things out of passion and conviction, you will find ways to make time for them,” she added. “What better way to learn how to support communities than to be actively engaged in them?”

Koubra’s recognition is not only a testament to her remarkable achievements, but also a powerful reminder of how leadership and lived experience can shape more inclusive, effective care.

Congratulations, Koubra, on this historic and well-deserved honour!